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  Hand tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfacesUSPTO Application #: 20070193689Title: Hand tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfaces Abstract: A plurality of hand tools for use in a wide variety of different applications for applying masking tape to various surfaces prior to painting, staining, detailing, sanding and the like wherein one embodiment includes a removably attachable blade member associated with one end portion of the tool and a removably attachable roller member or nudger member associated with the opposite end portion of the tool, and an extension/retraction mechanism for extending and retracting the blade member. Another embodiment of the present hand tool includes a handle member adaptable for receiving any combination of removably attachable roller members, nudger members, and blade members for attachment to the opposite end portions of the handle member. A wide variety of different blade configurations, roller member configurations, and nudger member configurations can be removably attached to the opposite end portions of the present tools. The present tools along with the various roller members, knife blades and nudger members can also be provided in kit form to accommodate a wide variety of different surface applications. (end of abstract) Agent: Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP - St. Louis, MO, US Inventor: Richard R. Haemerle USPTO Applicaton #: 20070193689 - Class: 156510000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070193689. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/766,266, filed Jan. 5, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0002] This application is dedicated to the memory of Charles Ray Haemerle, Jr. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] This invention relates generally to hand tools and, more particularly, to various embodiments of a wide variety of different types of hand tools for applying various types of tape such as masking tape to various surfaces prior to painting, staining, or detailing adjacent surfaces. [0004] Masking tape and other types of tape with different types of adhesive backing are widely used by painters, auto detailers, and others to mask off various surfaces prior to painting, staining, auto detailing, or applying decals to adjacent surfaces so that the masked surfaces are not painted, stained, or otherwise damaged during the painting, staining, or detailing process. Masking tape is also commonly used for prepping various surfaces for final finishing, repairs, and other applications such as model building. Typically the masking tape is applied by hand and if the edge portion of the tape which abuts the surface to be painted or otherwise repaired is not correctly and fully seated, paint, stain or other working materials will work its way underneath the masking tape and cause ragged or uneven edges and bleeding when the masking tape is removed. [0005] Another problem encountered by painters is a quick and easy way of accurately cutting the tape so that it will more accurately abut adjacent surfaces to be painted or stained in corners and more accurately cover and overlay non-standard surfaces associated with a wide variety of different painted surfaces such as a plurality of grooves and ridges associated with a column or some other decorative design associated with the surface to be painted, stained or otherwise repaired. Since the masking tape is applied to the surface to be masked by hand, it is likewise typically secured to that surface by hand so as to prevent leakage underneath the tape. Such tape is also typically trimmed and cut with a conventional knife blade. Because the surfaces to be masked vary widely and include a wide variety of non-standard surfaces, sealing the masking tape by hand and cutting the tape with a conventional knife blade often results in unsealed and jagged edges which results in leakage underneath the tape and overpainted or overstained surfaces. This not only affects the aesthetic look of the finished product, but it also takes additional time to clean the overpainted or overstained surfaces to achieve a professional look. [0006] It is therefore desirable to provide a variety of different tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfaces which are easy to manipulate and use regardless of the particular application, which substantially prevent leakage underneath the tape, which substantially reduce clean-up time after a particular application, and which result in a more professional look without additional corrective action. [0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to various hand tools for applying tape to various surfaces prior to painting, staining, detailing, or otherwise repairing such surfaces, which invention overcomes one or more of the problems as set forth above. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art devices discussed above and teaches the construction and operation of a plurality of different types of hand tools adaptable for use in a wide variety of different applications including painting, staining, auto detailing, applying decals to a wide variety of different types of surfaces, sanding and other repair type applications for applying different types of tape to various surfaces. In one embodiment, the present tool includes a roller member associated with one end portion of the tool for rolling adjacent the edge portion of the masking tape which lies adjacent to the surface to be painted or otherwise repaired so as to accurately secure the tape edge portion to the surface to be masked, and such tool includes a knife edge portion associated with the opposite end portion thereof for cutting the tape at the appropriate length to meet with corners and other mating surface edges to be masked. The tool includes a handle portion which is ergonomically designed to fit within the palm of a user's hand. The center portion of the handle member may include an opening extending therethrough whereby a user can easily pivot the present tool about a finger extending through such opening back and forth between the roller member and the knife blade. It is contemplated that a wide variety of different types of roller members as well as a wide variety of different types of cutting blades can be removably attached to the opposed end portions of the handle member, each roller member being specifically contoured to mate with specific surface edges typically encountered during a painting, staining, detailing or other repair process such as a single edge, double edge, specific corner configurations, and so forth. Importantly, the roller members are removably attachable to one end portion of the handle member so that the appropriate roller member may be used for a particular masking task or other application. [0009] Similarly, a wide variety of different blade configurations may likewise be included for removable attachment to the opposite end portion of the handle member. Here again, the shape of the cutting blade can vary widely depending upon the particular application and depending upon the particular types of edges being encountered during the masking process such as a single edge, double edge, specific corner configurations, grooves, ridges, and other non-standard surfaces. Various methods for removably attaching the roller member and the knife blades are disclosed including a mechanism for extending and retracting the knife blade when needed. The present tool along with the various roller members and knife blades can be provided in kit form to accommodate a wide variety of different surfaces and applications. [0010] Another tool associated with the present hand tools is referred to as a detail pusher or nudger type tool which includes a push type tip member associated with one or both opposite ends of the tool for fully seating the edge of the masking tape to the appropriate surface so as to prevent leakage underneath the tape. In this regard, a plurality of different types of push tip members are removably attachable to one or both ends of the tool, these various shaped and configured tips being used to firmly push against the edge portions of the masking tape in corners and other tight places to again ensure that the masking tape is properly seated against the masked surface to prevent paint or stain leakage underneath the tape. The different styled tips can be rubber type tips, nylon type tips, tips made of composite materials, and metal tips depending upon the particular application. Also, the handle portion of the pusher tool is configured at one or both opposite end portions thereof to removably receive these various tips. In another embodiment, one end portion of the pusher tool may include a roller member for rolling adjacent the edge portion of the masking tape as previously explained. Again, the pusher tool along with the various types of pushing tip members can be provided in kit form so as to accommodate a wide variety of different types of surfaces and applications. [0011] Still further, the present invention includes another small detail roller type tool wherein one or both opposite end portions of the tool is adaptable to again removably receive a plurality of different roller members. This tool can be shaped and dimensioned so as to easily access tight spots and corners and around edges associated with any masking surface. In some instances, the roller members can be made of a soft but firm rubber or sponge material so that they can be squeezed to fit into corners and other hard to reach places to properly seat the masking tape to the masked surface. [0012] Other embodiments of different types of tools including tools with just a knife blade or roller member associated with one end portion of the tool, or other combinations such as a pusher tip member associated with one end portion of the tool and a knife blade associated with the other end portion of the tool, are likewise recognized and anticipated. Still further, the roller members, knife blades and pusher tip members of the present invention can be constructed so as to be attachable/detachable to either end of any one of the present hand tools so that any combination of such members can be attached to the present tool for a particular application. All of these tools are utilized in applying masking tape or the like to a wide variety of different types of surfaces preparatory to working adjacent to the masked surface such as preparatory to painting, staining, detailing, sanding, or performing some other repair work. [0013] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings. [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of one of the present hand tools constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein the knife blade is shown in its retracted position. [0016] FIG. 2 is perspective view similar to FIG. 1 wherein the knife blade is shown in its extended position. [0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the hand tool of FIGS. 1 and 2. [0018] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the hand tool of FIGS. 1-3. [0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration showing both a perspective view and a side elevational view of a plurality of different types of roller members constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a plurality of different knife blades constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Hand tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfaces Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hand tools for applying masking tape and the like to various surfaces patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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